It’s been more than three years in the making, but Toledo Walleye Winterfest has finally slid into Fifth Third Field.

Toledo Walleye Winterfest, featuring outdoor hockey games and more at Fifth Third Field, runs Dec. 26 through Jan. 4.

Toledo Free Press Photo by James A. Molnar

“There is a tremendous amount of excitement,” said Mike Keedy, manager of special events for the Walleye. “To finally see the rink on the field and all of our plans and projects coming to fruition — it’s a rewarding feeling. Our entire staff has worked extremely hard and we are ready!”

Winterfest, presented by ProMedica, kicks off Dec. 26 and runs through Jan. 4. Its biggest events are the outdoor Walleye hockey games Dec. 27 and Jan. 3. The outdoor rink will also host more than 150 free youth, high school and adult recreational teams.

Also planned 6-10 p.m. Jan. 2 is the Walleye Winter Brewfest, featuring more than 250 beers from more than 50 breweries.

The baseball stadium underwent an extreme makeover to prepare for the inaugural winter event.

The outdoor rink was constructed by Rink Specialists, a North Carolina-based company that has set up NHL-sized rinks at venues such as Fenway Park in Boston and Comerica Park in Detroit.

Since Dec. 8, the company has been setting up the rink, dropping a huge generator into the outfield via crane to power its equipment, testing 13 miles of plastic tubing that goes underneath the rink and putting ice where the infield normally sits.

At 5:30 p.m. Dec. 27, the Walleye will host the Kalamazoo Wings in the first outdoor hockey game in ECHL history. The Walleye will also host the Fort Wayne Komets at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 3. Prior to that game, there will be a 4:30 p.m. showdown featuring alumni teams from Toledo and Fort Wayne.

“This is going to be a first-class experience for the fans and the participating teams,” Keedy said. “People will want to be in the ballpark early to not miss a thing.”

Open skate sessions will be offered Dec. 28-29 and 31. The Stanley Cup will be on display Dec. 29.

There is also a game at 4 p.m. Dec. 31 featuring Adrian College vs. the U.S. National Under-18 team. At noon Jan. 3, the Bowling Green State University Falcons will play its first outdoor game vs. Robert Morris.

The Walleye are off to a 19-4 start this seasion under new head coach Derek Lalonde. He took over the head coaching spot vacated by Nick Vitucci in February.

“I’m ecstatic,” LaLonde said. “If you told us we were going to be on record pace, 19-4 at this time, I would have said not a chance. With that said, we did concentrate on bringing in the right kid that was going to buy in to the culture we wanted: team-first culture.”

Part of what attracted LaLonde to Toledo was the city’s enthusiastic fanbase, which has been showing up in strong numbers even with last year’s poor results on the ice.

“Now that we’re winning, the response has been extremely great,” he said.

Winterfest marks LaLonde’s first time being involved in an outdoor hockey game. The buzz around the games in undeniable, he said.

“I’m very excited,” he said. “I tip my hat to how hard everyone has worked here. My job has been easy when you relate it to what people have done to get ready for this event. My job is to put the best team on the ice I can.”

“The bottom line is we’re going to win; we have to win. This organization is ready for a winner. They made some changes, me being a big part of that change, to be successful on the ice. I know this is a development league and there’s many players going up and down, but when you’re in the locker room of the Walleye, you’ll be expected to do everything you can to win that night.”

His goal is to make the playoffs.

“We haven’t seen the playoffs much — only once here in the last few years — but I think that’s a realistic goal with how competitive and how tough this league is and considering we’re kind of starting new with only two returners from last year,” Lalonde said.

“I want to work on just playing fast, playing quick and competing. We designed this team with character, team-first type of guys and that has certainly come to fruition in the first few days of practice.”

The only expected returners are Kyle Rogers and Tyler Elbrecht. Cody Lampl, who played with the Walleye two years ago, is also back in Toledo after spending a season in the American Hockey League.

Dan Watson, former Walleye assistant coach who served as interim head coach after Nick Vitucci stepped down earlier this year, was named associate head coach. Vitucci is now director of hockey operations.

“It’s been huge having him,” Lalonde said of Watson. “I knew he was good, but he’s probably exceeded my expectations on how much we have synergy between each other.”

Lampl, 28, supports Lalonde’s efforts to “lay the groundwork for a winning culture.”

“The preparation he’s made in terms of systems and recruiting and just all-around effort he’s already put into this program I think has already caught all of our eyes,” Lampl said. “That saying, ‘Fail to plan, plan to fail’? He’s got a plan.”

Lampl sees its tempo and speed as the team’s biggest strengths.

“We want to push the pace and we have the players to do so,” Lampl said. “We have very skilled forwards and, as a defenseman, that’s always a great thing to just be able to get the puck to them and let them do what they are supposed to do. We should be able to outskate teams and our pace should be relentless throughout the game. Anytime we can play fast is going to be a positive for us.”

Fans should like the team’s style as well, Lampl said.

“I think all fans really want to see here is effort — guys who played hard every shift and really outworked their opponent — and I think effort will translate into wins and everybody will go home happy,” he said.

Colorado reunion

Three Walleye hopefuls — Chris Knowlton, 24, Josh Holmstrom, 25, and Tom Serratore, 25 — aren’t new teammates. They played together as teens on teams in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

“We were pretty good buddies back then, so it’s kind of funny to get back together,” Knowlton said. “We kept in touch and knew [coming to Toledo] was a possibility, but then when it actually happened and all three of us signed here, we were pretty excited.

“It’s nice to be together again.”

Walleye hopefuls, from left, Chris Knowlton, Josh Holmstrom and Tom Serratore aren’t new teammates. They played together as teens on teams in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Toledo Free Press photo by Christie Materni

Following their travel team days, Knowlton went on to play for University of Denver, Holstrom for University of Massachusetts-Lowell and Serratore for University of Minnesota.

“We’ve been separated for six, seven years, but we still kind of know how each other plays with that chemistry we built as kids,” Serratore said. “It’d be cool to play with each other this year, if we could get a Colorado Springs line going or something.”

Knowlton’s older brother, Pat, formerly played for the Walleye.

“[He told me], ‘You’ve just got to go in there and work your hardest. Anything can happen in these camps, but as long as you just keep working hard, that’s all you can really control,’” Knowlton said. “There’s a ton of good players out here so I’m just trying to work as hard as I can and prove that I belong.”

Knowlton already knew Lalonde as the assistant coach at University of Denver.

“He’s a great coach,” Knowlton said. “I’m really excited. I enjoyed playing for him at school and can’t wait to play for him here.”

Serratore’s father coaches hockey at the U.S. Air Force Academy and his uncle coaches hockey for Bemidji State University in Minnesota. His twin brother played DIII hockey in Minnesota.

“I know [Lalonde is] a good coach because my father spoke highly of him and my coaches at the University of Minnesota had nothing but good things to say,” Serratore said. “Obviously he expects a lot, but we want to have a good year this year so I think the buy-in and the dedication is really something to build after.”

Lampl said everyone is excited for the regular-season opener Oct. 18.

“When you get a brand-new group of guys and all you’ve been doing is training, you want that first game to get here as fast as possible,” Lampl said. “You’re only as good as your last game and we haven’t gotten to play one yet, so we’re excited.”

The top four teams in each division during the regular season will qualify for the playoffs. All four rounds of the playoffs will be played in a best-of-seven format. Updates to the playing schedule will be released soon.

Bollinger brings analytical eye to Walleye coaching role

The Toledo Walleye have added Matt Bollinger as assistant coach, with a focus on increasing the team’s use of video and statistical analysis.

The Sylvania native has been head coach for the University of Toledo’s club hockey team for the past three years.

Matt Bollinger. UT Photo

“We are very excited to add Matt to our staff; it is very impressive what he has accomplished at the University of Toledo,” said Walleye head coach Derek Lalonde in a news release from the Walleye. “I like his passion and eagerness and he will bring a fresh approach to help round out the staff.”

Bollinger said the Walleye are looking for him bring an analytical eye to the role, including an increased use of video and statistical analysis.

“One of the things they are really looking for me to bring to the game is the video coaching approach — taking videos of players and breaking them down — and getting more in depth with statistics,” Bollinger said. “They are looking for me to bring a new approach to the game that they are not necessarily already bringing because they already have their own responsibilities and roles.”

Bollinger describes his coaching style as approachable and hands-on.

“I try to work with players as best I can and make it an inviting atmosphere where they know they can come to us for anything,” he said. “I think most players dream of playing for their hometown team. I’m not playing, but I get the opportunity to coach with them. It’s a great opportunity and I’m really looking forward to it.”

Bollinger played hockey for Sylvania Southview High School and then for UT. He worked for five seasons as an assistant coach at Southview before taking over UT’s program.

At UT, Bollinger posted a three-year record of 78-28-2, including three consecutive league tournament championships, according to the release. Last season, he led UT to a 28-8-2 overall record and was named Tri-State College Hockey League Coach of the Year. He lives in Toledo with his wife Joanna and sons Braden and Brooks.

UT’s assistant coach Dan Conway, also a former hockey player at UT, will take over as head coach for the UT team.

Bollinger will be missed at UT, but the team will be in good hands under Conway, said UT hockey general manager Greg Urig.

“We had a lot of success under Matt,” Urig said. “He was great with helping push the organization forward and grow the program as far as helping it gain popularity on campus, in the community and nationally. We’ll miss him but we’re very happy he’s able to jump up and take this new opportunity with the Walleye. We want to continue the tradition and legacy he started to build at UT.

“Dan’s going to be a seamless transition. Being around the team so long, as a four-year player, two-time captain and assistant coach under Matt last year, he probably knows the team better than anyone. There won’t be any real learning curve. And most importantly he has the respect of the players already. The players want to play for him and Dan is very eager to prove himself as coach. He’s more than ready to put forth that effort and we think he’s going to be a good fit.”

Dan Watson, former Walleye assistant coach who served as interim head coach, will be associate head coach for the Walleye.

New Walleye coach plans to revamp team

Derek Lalonde wants to usher in an era of development, unity and triumph for the Toledo Walleye.

“We want to have a culture in this locker room that, whenever you come into this locker room, you’re expected to give everything you can for Toledo on that given night,” Lalonde said.

Derek Lalonde was named head coach of the Toledo Walleye on June 2. Toledo Free Press photo by Christie Materni

The Walleye announced June 2 that Lalonde would take over the head coaching spot vacated by Nick Vitucci in February.

Vitucci, now director of hockey operations for the Walleye, said he feels confident in his successor.

“We’re thrilled we were able to land [Lalonde],” Vitucci said. “The criteria we set up as far as what we wanted in our coach, he fit every part of it.”

Those criteria, Vitucci said, included a track record of success, championship victories, a position as top coach at a talented junior league and knowledge of Toledo’s league.

Lalonde said winning is his goal, but first and foremost he wants to foster a sense of community and teamwork.

“It’s all about that balance of development, but winning is also development,” Lalonde said. “Any competitive hockey player at this level, they still want to be coached, they still want to be communicated to and they want to win. If you can achieve the communication, the teaching, the structure for development, usually the winning follows.”

Lalonde grew up close to the Canadian border in upstate New York, where he said each hockey game was a unifying event.

“Having a good experience growing up, where hockey was second nature to everyone, you grew a passion for it,” Lalonde said.

Lalonde took his passion and went on to play for SUNY Cortland, where he was goaltender from 1991-95. He was also a physical education major at the school.

“It’s probably exactly where I belonged, talent-wise,” Lalonde said. “I went there for all the right reasons: the opportunity for a good hockey experience and the education I wanted.”

Lalonde got his first assistant coaching job two months after graduation. He coached at the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (1995-98) where he was also a graduate assistant and master’s student.

“When you first start coaching, the last thing on your mind is ever making a living because the money is not there as a young coach,” Lalonde said. “You do it for the right reasons: You have a passion and the excitement for it.”

Lalonde has since been assistant coach at the University of Denver (2006-11), Ferris State University (2002-06), Hamilton College (2000-02) and Lebanon Valley College (1998-00). He said many of the head coaches he worked under influenced his coaching style.

“Bob Daniels at Ferris State University, George Gwozdecky at the University of Denver — these guys were perfect mentors for my growth,” Lalonde said. “I took a little bit of who they both were and kind of blended that into who I am.”

Lalonde most recently coached and acted as general manager for the Green Bay Gamblers. He led the team to a record of 111-54-14, including regular season and playoff championships in 2011-12.

“Being the head coach and general manager at that level, you wear so many hats,” Lalonde said. “It’s very overwhelming at times. It prepares you for anything.”

Lalonde also coached the U.S. Under-19 National Team, which earned gold at the World Junior A Challenge in November.

“First, for the U.S. hockey federation to choose me was a great honor,” Lalonde said. “Then, having that two-week short, intense tournament of putting a team together [and] getting that team to buy into a common goal.”

Lalonde chose Toledo because of the success of the Mud Hens brand as well as the Walleye’s association with the Detroit Red Wings, who Lalonde said showed they “cared a lot” about the team.

Lalonde said he is excited to bring his family to Toledo. Wife Melissa is a Cleveland native and Lalonde said her parents still live there.

Melissa and their children, Alex, Luke and Abby, attended the news conference as well as a Mud Hens game last weekend, which Lalonde said “really helped in the transition.”

Lalonde said he hopes he can follow in the footsteps of Vitucci, because the former coach exemplifies what Lalonde deems most important in the coaching profession.

“[Vitucci is] a very genuine person and he is a person who does things right,” Lalonde said. “That’s who you want to be in Toledo when advisers call, when kids call, when they look at Toledo. They do things the right way. I want that to be my legacy and to have that continued legacy of Toledo.”

Derek Lalonde named new Walleye head coach

The Toledo Walleye have named Derek Lalonde the team’s new head coach.

Lalonde comes from the Green Bay Gamblers of the United States Hockey League (USHL), where he has been head coach and general manager since 2011.

Lalonde wants build a culture of success in Toledo, according to a news release from the team.

“My whole coaching career has been about player development, and in the ECHL there has to be a balance between player development and winning,” he said. “That’s why I think I’m a good fit for Toledo and Toledo is a good fit for me.”

Derek Lalonde. Photo Courtesy Green Bay Gamblers

“We are extremely pleased to have Derek on our team,” said Walleye President Joe Napoli in the release. “He was the one who stood out during a very rigorous interviewing process of quality candidates.”

Under his leadership in Green Bay, the team compiled a record of 111-54-14, including regular season and playoff championships in 2011-12. He was also USHL Coach of the Year in 2012. He was also head coach of the U.S. U19 National Team which earned gold at the World Junior A Challenge in November 2013.

Lalonde’s coaching experience includes assistant coach at the University of Denver (2006-11), Ferris State University (2002-06), Hamilton College (2000-02), Lebanon Valley College (1998-00) and Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (1995-98). He played collegiate hockey at Cortland State University in Cortland, New York from 1991-95 as a goaltender.

He’s married to his wife Melissa, and has three children, Alex, 8, Luke, 5 and Abby, 3.

Former Walleye head coach Nick Vitucci, who had led the team since its inception in 2009, announced Feb. 25 he was stepping down, effective immediately, but would stay on with the hockey club in a position to be determined. Assistant coach Dan Watson took over as interim head coach for the remainder of the season.